Aurora australis makes stunning return to southern Australian skies
Early risers have been treated to a spectacular light show, with the aurora australis visible once again in Australia's southern states on Friday morning.
Caused by large expulsions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun's corona, the phenomenon has wowed stargazers and photographers multiple times this year.
Overnight, coronal mass ejection (CME) activity provided pink, red, yellow and purple hues in the night sky.
Stargazers across Europe and the US also had a glimpse at the aurora borealis (northern hemisphere).
Here's a look at some of the incredible photos.
A dance of pink and redMerimbula life-long resident Carol Spencer only took up photography five years ago, but has become addicted to spotting auroras along the far south coast of NSW.
She said Friday morning's aurora was more brilliant than the one spotted in May, and could even be seen with the naked eye.
"This aurora was so strong," she said.
"We call her 'The Lady' and she dances across the sky. She did exactly that."
Carol Spencer said it was worth staying up all night to catch a glimpse of the aurora australis. (Supplied: Carol Spencer)
Ms Spencer grew up on the coast believing auroras sighted as far north as her home town to be a myth.
She said she stayed up all night to catch the "rare" aurora, and took photos from the Merimbula wharf.
"Once you see them, you just get hooked," she said.
"I don't think I'll ever see this again, it was absolutely phenomenal."
"It was nature at its best."
A photographer's dreamDeb Prentice got this beautiful shot near Texas, Queensland. (Supplied: Deb Prentice)
Photographer Matt Bradfield snapped this photo on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria just after 3am. (Matt Bradfield via Facebook)
Local photographer Andrew Larkin took this image from Jellat Jellat near Bega, NSW. (Supplied Andrew Larkin)
Deb Prentice managed to capture a second shot of the aurora giving off purple and pink hues. (Supplied: Deb Prentice)
Michael Hatte captured these sights at around 5am from Dapto, NSW.
"I woke at 4am walked outside and immediately saw it with the naked eye, grabbed the camera gear and started shooting at the end of the street."
The aurora was visible in Wollongong, NSW. (Supplied: Michael Hatte)
Barbara Martin took this photo from Blanche Point, Port Willunga, South Australia at 3.38am. (Barbara Martin via Facebook)
Glen Crouch took this stunning photo at Little Bay, Sydney this morning. (Supplied: @aegirphotography)
Patrick Wynne took this photo in Mount Barker, Adelaide Hills and said it was "so bright". (Patrick Wynne via Facebook)
Emma Kidson from the NSW Riverina said the event was strong enough to see with the naked eye.
"It is so rare, you can't take your eyes off it, it's enchanting," she said.
"The beams dance across the sky, they call the aurora the 'dancing lady', and time just passes.
"You don't even realise how long you've been staring at the sky for… it's a photographer's dream."
Ms Kidson said she has taken a keen interest in the ongoing solar maximum event because it is so "rare and difficult to capture".
Emma Kidson took this spectacular photo at Gelston Park, south of Wagga Wagga. (Supplied: Emma Kidson)
The Blue Mountains in the early hours of this morning. (Holly Kent via Facebook)
The view from Yass, New South Wales. (Tom Odea via Facebook)
Northern lights shine in the night sky over the Black Lake in Falkenhagen, eastern Germany. (Patrick Pleul/dpa via AP)
An aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, seen in Falmouth, Maine, US. (AP: David Sharp)
Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are seen at the Angel of the North in Gateshead, Britain. (Reuters: Lee Smith)
Will the aurora australis be visible tonight?It's possible.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), unusual solar activity this week could result in additional CME activity on Friday and Saturday night.
But auroras can be really unpredictable.
So experts suggest:
Signing up for ASWFC alerts via this online portalStart following local aurora chasing groups so it comes up on your social media feedPhotographer Jennifer Owen took this shot from Bulli Tops, Wollongong. (Supplied: Jennifer Owen)
Stargazers in southern parts of Australia have the best chance at catching a glimpse.
Tasmania and parts of southern Victoria tend to have the best luck.
But South Australia and parts of New South Wales could get lucky when the storms are stronger — and it appears last night/this morning it was.
Lilly captured this photo from Gerroa Headland, NSW. (Supplied: Lilly Rae Media)
